Rob Davies
It was ultimately disappointment for Swansea City in the Carabao Cup second round as Bournemouth netted a late winner to see the Premier League side through.
It all looked promising when Matt Grimes scored an early penalty before Bournemouth’s big guns changed the game early in the second half as David Brooks and Traore made it 2-1 to the visitors.
Jamie Paterson – where did that come from? – netted the equaliser with a fine strike from outside the box before an injury time Ryan Christie strike.
The defence again proved to be an issue and the stats whilst flattering Bournemouth do tell a picture of a one sided game with the Swans registering just four efforts on goal through the ninety odd minutes.
Duff made several changes to the line up as he gave opportunities to a number of players after a disappointing start to the season.
Rushworth
Abdulai – Naughton – Cabango – Darling – Key
Allen – Grimes – Cooper
Ginnelly – Cullen
It was a promising start for the Swans coming off the back of the disappointment at Preston on the weekend, showing five changes to the starting eleven in Lancashire.
Liam Cullen’s shot was blocked by fellow Welshman Chris Mepham’s hand resulting in a penalty which was comfortably dispatched by Grimes for 1-0 in the 9th minute.
Bournemouth struggled to get going in a first half where the Swans looked the better side without really threatening for a second goal.
Indeed such was the frustration of Bournemouth who are suffering similar struggles in the League as the Swans – both under new managers – two players were booked during the first half.
David Brooks and Senesi both saw yellow as the Cherries were frustrated although they could have drawn level before the interval through Traore.
The pacy winger darted past the Swans backline and his low drive hit the outside of the post and rebounded to safety much to the relief of the smaller than usual home faithful.
It was at half time that Andoni Iraola had seen enough and brought on three of his main players as Dominic Solanke, Lewis Cook and Milos Kerkez were introduced and those changes paid dividends.
First Solanke’s overhead kick forced a save from Ashworth before Jaidon Anthony found Brooks in plenty of space to clinically slot past Rushworth.
Again incredibly despite five at the back there was no defender within 15 yards of him…
Then the turnaround was complete as Brooks got to the byline to whip a cross in. Solanke’s header rebounded off the post for Traore to finish easily for 2-1.
Just as that looked to have settled the tie Paterson had other ideas. He almost scored with his first touch on Saturday at Preston and within five minutes of his introduction he delivered.
A corner was cleared to the wideman outside the box and his left footed strike deflected in through a sea of bodies to make it 2-2 on the night.
And just as it was looking like penalties were on the cards the Swans’ hopes were dashed as Ryan Christie struck the winner in the first minute of stoppage time.
Overall a mixed night for Duff and his team. Again there were some promising signs but with a defence like ours we seem to need two or three goals to get anything from a match.
It requires so much work before Friday.
MATCH FACTS AND LINE UPS
NEXT UP FOR THE SWANS
Given the lack of impact from our midfield I thought our defence in the first half was excellent. The work Cabango and Naughton got through was outstanding. We were playing like we did at the end of last season. Second half and the Duffball tactics took hold and it all fell apart until a late rally.
Noticable in the first half especially was the quick passing mainly from Naughton, Cabango, Cooper, Andulai, Cullen and Allen … all brought up on ‘Swansea’ ways. And, there was very little back passing other than to stread the ball, keep hold and create space.
Switching Abdulai to the left was an error imo, especially when he started complaining of a thigh injury around 60 the minutes mark.
Grimes repeatedly stood still when passes were played to him so allowing easy turn over of possession.
Cooper, Allen, Ginnelly and Darling also stood out as did Paterson when he was introduced. The other subs were totally ineffective.
Do we have to play Rushworth? He keeps making the same mistakes every game.